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BANGKOK | Thai court orders release of Bahrain refugee soccer player

BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai court ordered the release of a refugee soccer player on Monday after prosecutors said they were no longer seeking his extradition to Bahrain in a case that had drawn worldwide attention.

Court spokesman Suriyan Hongvilai said that Hakeem al-Araibi was being processed for release.

Thailand had come under great pressure from Australia’s government, sporting bodies and human rights groups to send al-Araibi back to Australia, where he has refugee status and plays semi-professional soccer.